Video content is taking over Instagram. And whether you have an active account or are just starting out, there are a lot of ways to create – and use – Instagram videos as part of your marketing strategy. I’m going to break down the 4 major categories so you can decide how you want to create Instagram videos for your business.

Rather watch that read? Head on over to my Youtube channel where I dive into each of these!

1. Insta Stories

This is easily one of my favorite ways to create videos because it’s sooo easy to get started! If you’ve never created a video, the learning curve is almost non-existent. And the best part? Videos with this feature expire after 24 hours.

In short, Insta Stories provide you with the opportunity to show behind the scenes of your business, share your day-to-day, and just be your authentic self. People love seeing behind the scenes of businesses, and this is just a simple way of giving that to your audience, in real-time. 

2. Reels…

…the name of the (post?) pandemic game! As of 2021, Instagram is highly prioritizing Reels within their algorithm. And while I don’t have an extensive data analysis on the “why,” I can say that just from the amount of reach you get when you post Reels on your Instagram – they are definitely prioritizing this one.

My 2 cents on Reels? 

☑️ Keep them short

☑️ Don’t follow trends 

Sure, Reels in and of itself may seem like a trend, but my recommendation here is to only make ones that really resonate with your personality or your business.

This is actually one of the reasons why I haven’t filmed that many Reels for my Instagram – my goal is to always deliver a unique perspective. That’s why I am very particular about the Instagram Reel music I choose. I try to be intentional with how my Reels is going to highlight the point I’m trying to make and how it will relate back to my business. 

3. IG…Live! 🎬

As the name suggests, this feature is when you go live on the platform. You might think that this method is high pressure because you obviously have to entertain your audience (and basically keep talking for the entire time that you are live), but it is somewhat also the easiest thing to create because you are live.

The process? 

1️⃣Pick a date 

2️⃣Click the button

3️⃣Go live 

4️⃣Save it afterwards to your feed

Easy peasy! 

My favorite thing about going live, is that for the filmmaker at heart 🙋🏼‍♀️, there’s a sense of uncertainty that makes the whole video experience fun. You never know exactly what’s going to happen OR who’s going to watch and comment on your video. It gives you the space to actually interact in real-time with the people that are showing up for you. 

4. IGTV

This is essentially TV for Instagram. An IGTV video is one that you upload from either your phone or desktop and that is 60 seconds or longer (anything under the one-minute mark will stay as a regular Instagram post in your feed). Once your video hits the 60-second mark, it will automatically be turned into an IGTV. 

The truth behind the creation of IGTV was to allow the platform to post more long-form content, and compete with Youtube. The way that I think of IGTV now – in the landscape of different Instagram video options – is that I suggest using IGTV to show off your body of work and share your expertise and knowledge in videos that really showcase who you are as a business (i.e. the services and products that you provide).

Think of IGTV as your evergreen machine – content that will always be relevant and impactful to your audience.

…aaaand that’s the full breakdown of how you can create Instagram videos for your business! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Be sure to let me know if you have any specific questions and I will make it a point to address them in a future video. 

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